Head of Responsible Innovation - Generative Biology Institute
GBI at the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) seeks a visionary Head of Responsible Innovation to lead the development and implementation of ethical, secure, and socially conscious research practices within the institute. This leadership role will ensure that scientific advancements are aligned with global biosecurity standards and societal values, embedding responsible innovation into the core of GBI's research culture. The successful candidate will collaborate with world-class researchers, shape strategic frameworks, and engage with global stakeholders to anticipate and mitigate risks associated with emerging biotechnologies.
Overview
The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) tackles humanity’s greatest challenges by turning science and technology into impactful global solutions. The Generative Biology Institute (GBI) aims to overcome two major challenges in making biology engineerable: 1) the ability to precisely synthesize entire genomes, and 2) understanding which DNA sequences will create biological systems that perform desired functions. GBI will house 30 groups and over 300 researchers, supported by cutting-edge facilities and sustained funding to address global challenges and advance biology engineering.
Key Responsibilities
* Develop and lead GBI's Responsible Innovation strategy, embedding ethical foresight and security into research programs
* Establish frameworks and processes to forecast and address potential dual-use of emerging technologies
* Work with scientific leadership and research groups to align research outputs with broader societal needs
* Collaborate with GBI researchers to evaluate potential biological risk from emerging biotechnologies
* Build and chair advisory boards to review innovation pathways and ensure research is conducted in a secure and ethical manner
* Drive engagement with global stakeholders (academic, regulatory, industry, public) to ensure GBI's work is transparent and aligned with international best practices in responsible R&I
* Design and implement training programs for researchers to integrate responsible innovation into their projects
* Guide development of technical safeguards, such as hard prompt refusals in models and misuse detection tools
* Identify areas of special concern in emerging technologies to prioritise monitoring and testing schemes
* Embed responsible innovation within GBI's research culture and build strong relationships with research teams to view security measures as enabling
Qualifications and Experience
* A doctoral degree (PhD) in Life Sciences, Bioengineering, Synthetic Biology, or related field
* Demonstrated expertise in forecasting and securing emerging technologies with a track record of embedding responsible innovation in complex scientific environments
* Experience developing and leading frameworks for responsible research and innovation in academic, industrial, or policy contexts
* Familiarity with security, legal, and social implications of synthetic biology, automation, and large-scale data-driven science
* Ability to convene and collaborate with interdisciplinary stakeholders, including scientists, ethicists, regulators, and the public
* Proven track record of team building and fostering a culture of responsible, mission-driven science
* Exceptional communication skills to engage technical and non-technical audiences and represent GBI at high levels
Benefits
* Enhanced holiday pay
* Pension
* Life Assurance
* Income Protection
* Private Medical Insurance
* Hospital Cash Plan
* Therapy Services
* Perk Box
* Electrical Car Scheme
Terms of Appointment
* You must be eligible to work in the UK with willingness to travel as necessary
* You must be based in, or within easy commuting distance of, Oxford
* During peak periods, some longer hours may be required and some working across multiple time zones due to the global nature of the program
#J-18808-Ljbffr